Tag Archive: custom centrifugal clutches

In our December blog post we explained how centrifugal clutches worked and why they are valuable components in industrial equipment. In this month’s post we are discussing how a centrifugal clutch can solve problems that may be stumping even the most experienced maintenance team.

In the course of a day, there are many practical problems that occur to slow down, stop, or damage mechanical equipment and as many practical solutions to remedy those problems. As we have experienced, many problems could be solved by using a properly sized centrifugal clutch.

A BLM clutch provides the following solutions to solve or eliminate common equipment problems (listed in boldface type) associated with these conditions:

Cuts the duration of high amperage draw when motor is starting to less than one second.

Overheating motors when starting is prevented by providing the equivalent of a no-load start.

Using oversized motors for starting, which can cause shock loads and bad power factor, are not necessary since the clutch enables using a motor with a capacity closer to the running load.

No need to use reduced voltage starters since simple across-the-line starters can be used with a clutch.

Starting shock, a condition that causes damage to moving parts and is a major cause of equipment maintenance, is not an issue with a BLM clutch since soft starts increase the life of components such as belts and gears.

Fragile materials (wires, thread, paper) are often subject to breakage as the result of stating shock; the gentile, low torque starting of a clutch eliminates breakage and downtime.

Difficulty of starting heavy loads is problematic but a clutch selected for cushioned, high torque starts can easily handle heavy loads.

Motor burnout because of overloads won’t occur with a clutch that slips before the motor is damaged.

High overload torque capacity of the motor causes overload damage. A properly selected clutch slips under the overload at a torque level lower than the motor capacity.

Sudden overloads that cause damage due to the flywheel effect of the motor rotor are eliminated because the clutch will slip when a jam-up occurs to protect against damage to the motor.

BLM has the experience and expertise to engineer custom centrifugal clutches that will solve the most challenging equipment problems. If you are experiencing any of the above problems, you will see immediate improvement after installing a centrifugal clutch from BLM.

Contact us to speak with an expert at solving difficult mechanical problems!

We love working with OEMs! Throughout our experience providing centrifugal solutions, BLM has partnered with all types of manufacturers, providing the best solutions for their centrifugal clutch needs. Why do we enjoy working with equipment manufacturers so much? When we work with OEMs, we usually get the opportunity to start our working relationship at the very beginning of a project, when we can really dive into the project and play an integral role in the equipment’s design from the very beginning. We enjoy partnering with OEMs from start to finish – from the initial stages of the equipment’s design, right through the manufacturing phase, and eventually to its application and use. BLM always provides centrifugal clutch solutions that are appropriate and fine-tuned for specific applications.

Keep in mind that there are a lot of details and specs involved in equipment manufacturing. But that’s what makes our role in our partnerships with OEMs so enjoyable – and so critical. Our experience has set us up to understand and accommodate an OEM’s needs and special requests, from start to finish through any project that includes a centrifugal clutch, and we take great pride in providing the most economical solutions. Working with us, OEMs also have the opportunity to customize their centrifugal clutches, as well, and we can custom paint them with a company’s colors and labeling. Additionally, to accommodate an OEM’s need for quick turnaround, BLM accepts blanket orders to facilitate the manufacturing process of centrifugal clutches.. We want our OEM customers – and everyone – to know they can always count on us to provide centrifugal solutions in a timely fashion!

One more important note: At BLM, we understand centrifugal clutches more than anyone else, and we know that every detail and every spec, no matter how small or seemingly “insignificant,” can significantly impact a centrifugal clutch and how well it functions. (See our recent blog post that talks more in-depth about how to avoid centrifugal clutch failure.)

OEMs that partner with BLM know they can count on our expertise in providing the best solutions for their centrifugal clutch needs. We listen to their requests, and take the time to understand applications and details, and then we offer OEMs the most economical and efficient centrifugal solutions. We also offer prototypes and consult with all of our customers – not just OEMs – through every manufacturing stage, ensuring successful end results. Learn more about how we can work together and partner for success by visiting our website.

When the popular American television series Sesame Street first aired almost 46 years ago, the manufacturing industries weren’t concerned, or weren’t as concerned, with “sustainability” and with “being green,” as everyone is today. Those of us who grew up with Kermit-the-Frog singing and complaining about “being green” know he wasn’t referring to sustainability when he was singing. But now, in 2015, you hear manufacturers and companies in all industries talking about sustainability and reporting about how they’re “being green.” Some manufacturers are repeating Kermit-the-Frog’s words, and saying, “It’s not easy being green…” They’re pointing out challenges they’re facing, or mentioning some complaints about the costs and reporting requirements associated with sustainability efforts. Companies and manufacturers are looking for ways to be more sustainable and more green.

Organized efforts, initiatives, and media, regularly offer ideas and information to help companies from all industries “be green.” Greenbiz.com is one example of an information source dedicated to sustainability in business. The website says it “advances the opportunities at the intersection of business, technology and sustainability…” A recent article on the site, 10 Lessons for Future Sustainability Leaders, asks, “Is sustainability part or your core strategy?” The article continues by answering the question and saying, “To create a high-quality integrated [sustainability] report, you must answer this question affirmatively.”

If sustainability and “being green” is important to your company, and if you’re a manufacturer using centrifugal clutches, you know that centrifugal clutches make it easier to be green. As we originally reported in an industry news release six years ago, “BLM’s distinctive blue clutches have always been a green solution, long before it was politically correct. BLM has always produced an energy efficient clutch.”

Here’s an overview of how our centrifugal clutches save energy and help manufacturers “be green”: An electric motor with a centrifugal clutch starts under no load and does not engage and drive the load until it reaches near rated speed. Once up to speed, a motor has more torque to start and accelerate the load and it consumes much less current than a motor that must struggle to start under full load.

In addition to reduced electrical power consumption costs, there are other “green” benefits offered by our blue clutches:

-They’re more economical because the motor is “right-sized” and not over-sized. (See our previous blog post for more information about proper clutch size.)

-A standard motor with a clutch runs more efficiently than an oversized motor running below its full-rated load.

-Clutches can promote and increase motor life by as much as 5x due to the shortened high-current draw saving motor insulation and windings.

Take a look at our website to learn more about how centrifugal clutches are a green and clean alternative, and see how it IS easy to be green with centrifugal clutches.

Size matters when you’re designing and manufacturing centrifugal clutches! We know this from our experience working with our customers who have come to use from many different industries throughout the years. If you’re not already familiar with BLM Automatic Clutch, we’re a family owned company, which designs and manufactures centrifugal clutches.

Whenever we’re designing and manufacturing centrifugal clutches for our customers, we rely on our customers to provide us with accurate information and specifications. We work closely with each customer to learn about any special or unique requirements for the clutches. Fully understanding their operations is critical in determining the right size centrifugal clutch within each specific application.

When it comes to the speed and the horsepower RPM, this information also must be accurate. If the information about the speed and horsepower is incorrect, the clutch may only partially engage but will still try to drive a full load on partial engagement resulting in clutch failure. Another possible scenario is that the running speeds are inaccurate and the clutch blows up.

Determining how many belts on a pulley application and the number of horsepower transmitted by each belt is necessary. Sometimes horsepower transmitted by manufacturer supplied equipment is insufficient to maximize the engine capacity, this results in an oversell of the size of the engine. The solution is to have more belts or a smaller engine.

Ultimately, the correct clutch size is critical for the overall performance and the longevity of a centrifugal clutch. Also having the correct clutch size can prevent damage or malfunction and costly downtime. To prevent any of these scenarios from happening we encourage our customers to share with us all accurate information and run each clutch within its intended application parameters.

We’d be happy to tell you more about why it’s so critical for manufacturers of centrifugal clutched to get accurate specifications and information from the end users of the centrifugal clutches. Reach out to us at any time with any questions you may have.

In a previous blog post, we discussed the advantages of the centrifugal clutch. These included starting loads efficiently while saving energy, smooth acceleration, the elimination of expensive starting equipment, and more.

Another specific advantage of the centrifugal clutch is its ease of maintenance. Because our clutch is made of separate pieces, these pieces can be disassembled and easily taken apart without having to use a motor or a gear box. This means that when maintenance is needed, the clutch comes apart easily and allows for simple access.

BLM’s mechanism offers a distinct competitive advantage. In the competitors’ clutches, the majority are made as one solid unit, making it extremely difficult to do anything without taking the clutch apart entirely—it’s not a quick, easy fix.

However, our mechanism is in a drive body attached to a flange that can easily be dropped out, allowing the user to change the clutch out in a very short period of time. As anyone knows, saving time and money when it comes to maintenance are two of the biggest factors in remaining competitive, efficient, and successful.

Our custom centrifugal clutches are backed by over 80 years of experience. In this time, we’ve perfected the design of the clutch, knowing how to make them high quality, long lasting, and extremely easy to use and maintain.

Whatever your requirements, application, or industry, you can be sure the custom clutch will not only meet all of your exact requirements, but will be backed by these decades of research, advancement, and experience.

As leaders in the design and manufacture of custom centrifugal clutches, we’re often in contact with people who want to know how they work, and what their advantages are. Simply put, their advantages are many—but here we aim to explain why and how.

The main purpose of the centrifugal clutch is to start loads efficiently and save energy. In essence, this type of clutch connects the prime mover (the motor, engine, turbine, etc.) to the load to be accelerated in a way that, in start-up mode, the prime mover starts without any load imposed on it. As the motor speed increases, it develops near-maximum torque before the clutch is radically activated to connect the load and accelerate it smoothly to rated speed—with no slippage and 100% efficiency.

When using the right centrifugal clutch, shock loading of the power train is eliminated, making for smooth acceleration and providing overload protection to both the motor and the machinery. Consider this: The demand of the average motor at start-up is significantly greater than when running at rated speed and load. Without a clutch, this high inrush current can last several seconds at least, but with a centrifugal clutch, this is only a fraction of a second, resulting in maximum torque with minimum current draw. The clutch does the slipping and dissipates the heat, and the added advantage is eliminating expensive starting apparatus.

So what should you consider when selecting a centrifugal clutch?

First you must take into account the effect of the load or mass to be accelerated; i.e., a high-inertia load will require a longer acceleration period, so the clutch must have sufficient mass to dissipate heat generated. When there is a frequent starting cycle, heat can be problematic and overheating can occur, but allowing the clutch to cool off can return it to its rated efficiency.

The centrifugal clutch should be selected so that the load is applied where maximum torque is developed by the motor; the clutch can be adjusted for capacity by varying weight of the operating mechanism in the clutch, which can increase the capacity of the clutch and achieve a wide range.

While no one particular clutch is suitable for all conditions, working with the right experts can help guide you to the right size/capacity for your application. In the end, the centrifugal clutch will save energy and start loads efficiently, eliminate the need for starting equipment, allow use of a smaller motor, and provide smooth acceleration.

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